Sport: China to fund sports complex in Tonga for Pacific Games

The Chinese government has agreed to fund a $US24.8 million sports complex at Tonga High School for the 2019 Pacific Games after signing an implementation agreement with the Tonga government last week.

Matangi Tonga reported the complex will include an indoor gymnasium, one outdoor rugby field, four outdoor netball courts, an aquatics centre, a lawn bowling field, and supporting facilities with a total area of 9,180 square metres.

The agreement was signed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Siaosi Sovaleni, and China's Ambassador to Tonga, HE Huang Huaguang.

Tonga's Deputy PM, Siaosi Sovaleni. Photo: IISD

At the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Sovaleni said he was thankful to the Chinese government for their support.

"This is a very important project to the Pacific Games 2019, we would like to thank your delegation and also our senior officials for working tirelessly during the last month also in progressing this agreement that will state today in the signing," he said.

He Huang Huaguang said this was the largest project so far between the two countries.

China's Ministry of Commerce's International Economic Cooperation will be responsible for organising, co-ordinating and managing the implementation of the project.

The sports complex preparatory works are scheduled for August 2017 with construction expected to start in October 2017 and completed by May 2019.

Other works confirmed for the Games include the upgrade of the Teufaiva Stadium, funded through a development initiative by the New Zealand Government.